Religion-I Believe

Updated on April 12, 2013

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What Religion Are You?

When I was a child I went to church just a few times. If we were ever with my Grandmother in California, we went to the nearest Church of Christ. For about two years we lived next door to a preacher and his wife - and had our own personal Sunday school most Sundays. My Uncle Joe was a preacher and we had a sermon every time he came to town. And for a couple of years in high school, I went to my best friend's church - the Riverside Free Methodist. Altogether in almost forty-six years of life, I have probably attended some sort of church for maybe five of those years...

I Believe - Isn't That Enough?

This, however, does not mean that I am not a believer. I truly believe that there is a God and a Heaven and all of the other things that the Bible tells us of. I believe that Jesus died for our sins.I believe in the Ten Commandments and believe that there will be some kind of consequence if I fail to live up to them. I believe that everyone should be the best person they can be and treat others the way they want to be treated. I believe that when you do good, good things will happen to you.

I have read my Bible and interpreted in the way I believe it should be interpreted. I don't believe that I need someone to tell me how I should believe. I know that there are men and women who have had a calling to tell others about God and their particular church, or synagogue, or temple, teaches them they should teach. And I know that they do an awesome job at it and many millions of people benefit from it. But I don't believe that I am one of those people.

How Do I Answer That Question?

When people ask me about my religion, I don't know how to answer. I do not belong to an organized church. There are parts of many religions I believe in. There is no one view of religion that I solely believe in. I read my Bible (many versions of my Bible), and other Holy books from other religions. I believe that almost every religion has similarities to one another. Most have a "supreme being" they pray to that will either reward them or punish them for how they act here on earth. Most have some version of an after-life. Many have "rules" to live by - such as the Ten Commandments.

I take the pieces of the different religions that I agree with and put them together with what I know from my own personal experience and go with that. I talk to my God daily and believe that He listens and responds. Maybe not in the way I want or expect, but He responds. I don't know if this is the right way...I don't know if this will lead me to my Heaven. I do know this is how I believe...

So how do I answer this question?

When asked what religion I am, I simply say, "I believe....that's all you really need to know."

Comments 10 comments

You have the important thing which is faith...now sure sometimes a good advice, guidance can be very welcome. I see farther than religion in human beings, faith, love, peace, compassion, forgiveness are the indicators for me. Love and peace

anndavis25 5 years ago from Clearwater, Fl.

Religion can be taught, Spiritualness can not.

bethperry 5 years ago from Tennesee

My husband says religion is like Rome; there are many paths but they all lead you to the same place. I tend to agree with this philosophy.

Btw, nice to meet you here at Hubpages. Your articles are very interesting!

justateacher 5 years ago from Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Near Oz... Author

ann and beth - thank you for your comments and thank you for understanding! Glad you both found my writing worth reading!

filmchick1987 5 years ago from New Zealand

I think a church is just a building where you go to talk about your beliefs and get support if you need it- it's up to you and God whether you choose to attend one or not. I think there's this crazy trend to fight about denominations, but when it comes down to it, does it matter whether you're catholic, anglican or baptist? Not really. You don't need church to be a christian - just faith.

I doubt all religions lead to the same place, because only one has to be right. All religions have a good side to them, of course. But there has to be one you agree with inside and out, and that's the one you should choose to call your own.

Good contemplative post, by the way! I do agree :)

fpherj48 5 years ago from Beautiful Upstate New York

justateacher....Hello & welcome to Hubpages! So nice to meet you. I can't remember the last time I was asked about "religion." However, in the past when asked, for over 30 years, my reply was, "I'm a recovering Catholic." Come to think of it, this may be why I'm not asked anymore. My reply may have implied, "Let's NOT go there."......What I've always tried to do RELIGIOUSLY, is follow THE GOLDEN RULE.....which is something like "The Yellow Brick Road"....it leads you to the Truth. Nice hub....I lokk forward to reading more.

James Peters 4 years ago from Hammond, Indiana

I have a friend who believes the same way you do. She just tells people she's a non-denominational and doesn't attend just one church - she attends all of them!

Great Hub

Write On!

Thumbs Up & More

justateacher 4 years ago from Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Near Oz... Author

James - thanks for reading and commenting!

tonymead60 4 years ago from Yorkshire

teacher,

I agree with your views on religion, I believe in the teachings and ideals attributed to Jesus in the new testament. The old testament is a book of fables and mythes, like Robin Hood and King Arthur.

A good hub, thought provoking and useful.

voted up and buttons

regards

Tony

justateacher 4 years ago from Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Near Oz... Author